OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bend City Council and Urban Renewal Agency Meeting - May 6, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BodyBend, Oregon
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:09:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Okay.

0:02

All right.

0:03

Uh, the Ben City Council will now meet an executive session pursuant to RS one nine two, six, six, zero, two, e to conduct deliberations with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions.

0:12

Representatives of the news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session.

0:17

Representative of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced.

0:30

And immediately following the city council executive session, the Bend Urban Renewal Agency will meet an executive session pursuant to ORS one nine two point six six zero two to conduct deliberations with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions.

0:59

No decision may be made in executive session at the end of the executive session.

56:06

Go ahead.

56:07

All right.

56:08

We will call to order this meeting of the Benn City Council.

56:13

Please silence your cell phones.

56:16

I heard that's my alarm in the morning.

56:18

I'm getting freaked out.

56:19

I swear I'm awake.

56:21

Someone's okay.

56:34

All right.

56:35

Now we're ready to do our roll call.

56:38

Thank you.

56:39

Um, so start on your end, Counselor Platt.

56:41

Steve Bloody.

56:42

Megan Norris, she her.

56:43

Megan Perkins, she, her.

56:45

Melanie Keebler, she, her.

56:47

Mike Riley, he him.

56:49

Ariel Mendes, Gina Franzosa, she, her.

56:52

Okay, we're gonna start with a few proclamations that we have tonight.

56:55

So our first proclamation is Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.

56:58

Counselor Norris.

57:00

Yes, uh Provider Appreciation Day is a celebration on the Friday before Mother's Day that recognizes the work of child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children.

57:10

The first 2,000 days of a child's life are crucial for their development, with approximately 85% of brain growth happening by the time a child reaches kindergarten.

57:18

Researchers at the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Science have determined that the human brain grows more in the first three years of life than during any other period, and the quality of the experiences and interactions that children have during that time can help promote learning.

57:33

According to the 2024 United States Census, an estimated 4.1% of Benn's residents are under five years old.

57:39

Study a 2021 study by the Oregon Childcare Research Partnership identified Deschutes County as a child care desert.

57:46

The City of Bend has provided assistance in the form of grants and partnerships to help accelerate the development of child care centers in Benn and continually seeks to identify and remove obstacles to operating these essential services within our community.

57:59

Neighbor Impact's child care resources team worked to add 273 new child care slots across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties and Warm Springs in the year of 2025 alone, and relies on partnerships with providers in our community to create options for central Oregon families.

58:15

This year, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care announced that Central Oregon is no longer considered a child care desert for ages three to five.

58:23

And we celebrate the tremendous work of our nonprofit partners and providers in reaching that milestone.

58:35

We must continue to advocate for and support our investment in the essential service they provide.

59:04

And we have Hannah and Brittany from Neighbor Impact here.

59:06

If you want to come up and if there's any if you want to say a few words at all about sort of the work you do while they're coming up, I also want to recognize we have one of our oldest daycare providers here.

59:15

Um Sue and Hannah Sue Sendel and Hannah St.

59:18

Johnstendal are here.

59:19

Um and they actually run the cottage daycare where I went as a child.

59:23

Oh my gosh.

59:23

Um and if you want to know what I look like, this is what I look like.

59:37

So Bernine, here anything else you want to add.

59:42

I serve as the intake and outreach specialist at Neighbor Impact Childcare Resources.

59:46

Um we support the child care providers here in Central Oregon, all of them.

59:50

Um I wanted to start out by thanking you all.

59:54

Um the Benn City Council for this meaningful proclamation.

59:57

Today we honor child care providers not just for the care that they provide, but for the futures they help build.

1:00:02

High quality child care is one of the strongest foundations we can offer our children.

1:00:06

It supports their development, nurtures their curiosity, and prepares them to succeed not only in school but in life as well.

1:00:12

When we invest in child care, we're investing in the success of our future generations.

1:00:17

In order to meet uh in order for child care to meet the needs of our central Oregon community, we must have both quality care and accessible care.

1:00:26

Accessible care means that child care is affordable, available, close in proximity, and aligned with a family's needs and values.

1:00:33

It means that each family can find child care that truly works for them.

1:00:38

To make this possible, our providers and families need strong continued support from our local, state, and federal leaders.

1:00:44

Tonight is a celebration, but it's also a reminder that we must continue building a child care system that works for all of our families, and we must value the professionals who make it possible.

1:00:54

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%
Economic Development████████████████████████████28%
Community Engagement████████8%
Housing Development█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Transportation Safety████4%
Racial Equity███3%
Active Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bend City Council and Urban Renewal Agency Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Bend City Council met on May 6, 2026, for a regular meeting that included proclamations, council reports, public comments, consent agenda, and public hearings on an Economic Improvement District (EID) and short-term rental code amendments. The council also approved a bikeway construction contract and a second reading of a timber yards development code amendment. The meeting was followed by the Bend Urban Renewal Agency meeting, where a loan program concept was discussed.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously, except for Item B (Community Development CDBG Annual Action Plan), which was pulled for discussion. After clarification, Item B was approved separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Robert Rector and Mark Huber (residents of the Pilot View Canal Historic District) expressed concerns about the Central Oregon Irrigation District's (COID) plans to pipe the canal, which they argued would harm the historic district and property rights. They urged the council to consider the impact and invited councilors to visit the area.
  • Scott Dawkist (resident) requested the installation of stop signs on NW Skyline Ranch Road at NW Salilo Lane and NW Ochoa Drive to address speeding and safety concerns before a serious incident occurs. He noted that city staff and developers had indicated no action would be taken until the road is fully connected.
  • Michael Baker (CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend) provided updates on the club's summer programming (12 weeks this year) and facility improvements, and invited councilors to tour the club.

Public Hearing: Economic Improvement District (EID) in the Bend Central District

  • Presentation: Cyrus Mooney and Danielle Elder (Bend Central District Business Association) presented the proposed EID boundary, assessments (starting at $0.10 per square foot in FY26, increasing $0.01 each year), and scope of services (beautification, marketing, maintenance, events). The city retains 5% for administration. The EID would require a remonstrance hearing in July; if more than 33% of commercial property square footage opposes, assessments cannot be levied.
  • Public Comment (opposition):
    • Sylvia McFarland and Lewis (owners of multi-tenant industrial buildings) opposed the EID, arguing it would burden industrial tenants with no benefit, drive businesses to Redmond/La Pine, and that the business association did not consult them.
    • Randy Windlitz (property owner) claimed 782,035 square feet of opposition had been submitted (exceeding the 33% threshold), making the EID a "dead issue." He also argued the ordinance was not compliant with state statute.
    • James Floyd (owner of Cascade Professional Center) stated the EID would add to existing tax burdens (transportation fee, property taxes) and provide no value to his tenants.
  • Council Deliberation: Councilor Franzosa expressed concerns about the impact on industrial tenants and the need for more vetting, suggesting a pause. Other councilors (Riley, Perkins, Norris, Keebler) supported moving forward, noting the EID and urban renewal are complementary and that the 33% threshold provides a safeguard. The motion to adopt the first reading passed 5-2.

Public Hearing: Short-Term Rental Code Amendment (BDC 3.6.500)

  • Deliberation: The public hearing closed on April 15, 2026, with the written record held open until April 29. Councilor Franzosa moved to withdraw the application, arguing the action was too targeted (Old Bend) and not a citywide policy. She noted that the current code allowed unlimited STRs in commercial zones, but withdrawal would maintain the status quo. Councilor Mendes sought a compromise (e.g., capping STRs at 25-50% of a development), but no majority support emerged. The motion to withdraw passed (with some councilors voting against). Councilor Platt indicated a future agenda request to address STRs in commercial zones more broadly.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations: The council proclaimed May 2026 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, National Preservation Month, and Foster Care Month. Speakers from Neighbor Impact, Deschutes Historical Society, and CASA Central Oregon provided remarks.
  • Good of the Order: Councilor Norris read a statement recognizing Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, condemning anti-Asian violence, and emphasizing the need for specificity in honoring distinct communities.
  • Council Reports: Councilors reported on various events, including the youth summit, CityFest (20% reduction in unsheltered homelessness noted), transportation bond oversight, fire readiness meetings, and the Bend MPO. Councilor Riley shared data on opioid overdose deaths decreasing locally but warned of a new drug (orphine) resistant to naloxone. Councilor Perkins noted the CHRO funded the Gales property for shelter but criticized the county commission for not covering a $2,100 shortfall. Councilor Platt highlighted Zama's projected 5 GW power output.
  • City Manager Report: The city manager announced a June 3 meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. to handle the supplemental budget and carbon impact fee hearing. He also reported that S&P reaffirmed the city's AA+ rating on water bonds with a stable outlook.

Key Outcomes

  • EID Ordinance: First reading passed (5-2). The ordinance will proceed to a second reading and remonstrance hearing on July 15, 2026.
  • Short-Term Rental Code Amendment: Application withdrawn. The current code remains in effect; future policy discussions on STRs in commercial zones may occur.
  • Bikeway Construction Contract: Authorized contract with Taylor Northwest LLC for $2,264,529 for three path segments on SE 9th St, NE Bear Creek Rd, and SE 15th St N. Unanimously approved.
  • Timber Yards Development Code Amendment: Second reading and adoption by roll call vote (unanimous).
  • Urban Renewal Agency: Staff directed to proceed with developing a loan program (micro, small business, pre-development loans) with additional considerations from council (e.g., gaps in tenant improvement costs, partnership with COIC). A final proposal is expected in September 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. All right. Uh, the Ben City Council will now meet an executive session pursuant to RS one nine two, six, six, zero, two, e to conduct deliberations with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions. Representatives of the news media and designated staff shall be allowed to attend the executive session. Representative of the news media are specifically directed not to report on any of the deliberations during the executive session except to state the general subject of the session as previously announced. And immediately following the city council executive session, the Bend Urban Renewal Agency will meet an executive session pursuant to ORS one nine two point six six zero two to conduct deliberations with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions. No decision may be made in executive session at the end of the executive session. Go ahead. All right. We will call to order this meeting of the Benn City Council. Please silence your cell phones. I heard that's my alarm in the morning. I'm getting freaked out. I swear I'm awake. Someone's okay. All right. Now we're ready to do our roll call. Thank you. Um, so start on your end, Counselor Platt. Steve Bloody. Megan Norris, she her. Megan Perkins, she, her. Melanie Keebler, she, her. Mike Riley, he him. Ariel Mendes, Gina Franzosa, she, her. Okay, we're gonna start with a few proclamations that we have tonight. So our first proclamation is Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Counselor Norris. Yes, uh Provider Appreciation Day is a celebration on the Friday before Mother's Day that recognizes the work of child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children. The first 2,000 days of a child's life are crucial for their development, with approximately 85% of brain growth happening by the time a child reaches kindergarten. Researchers at the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Science have determined that the human brain grows more in the first three years of life than during any other period, and the quality of the experiences and interactions that children have during that time can help promote learning. According to the 2024 United States Census, an estimated 4.1% of Benn's residents are under five years old. Study a 2021 study by the Oregon Childcare Research Partnership identified Deschutes County as a child care desert. The City of Bend has provided assistance in the form of grants and partnerships to help accelerate the development of child care centers in Benn and continually seeks to identify and remove obstacles to operating these essential services within our community. Neighbor Impact's child care resources team worked to add 273 new child care slots across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties and Warm Springs in the year of 2025 alone, and relies on partnerships with providers in our community to create options for central Oregon families. This year, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care announced that Central Oregon is no longer considered a child care desert for ages three to five. And we celebrate the tremendous work of our nonprofit partners and providers in reaching that milestone. We must continue to advocate for and support our investment in the essential service they provide. And we have Hannah and Brittany from Neighbor Impact here. If you want to come up and if there's any if you want to say a few words at all about sort of the work you do while they're coming up, I also want to recognize we have one of our oldest daycare providers here. Um Sue and Hannah Sue Sendel and Hannah St. Johnstendal are here. Um and they actually run the cottage daycare where I went as a child. Oh my gosh. Um and if you want to know what I look like, this is what I look like. So Bernine, here anything else you want to add. I serve as the intake and outreach specialist at Neighbor Impact Childcare Resources. Um we support the child care providers here in Central Oregon, all of them. Um I wanted to start out by thanking you all. Um the Benn City Council for this meaningful proclamation.

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